Archive for October 2016

After the efforts from the day before my knee was still very painful the next morning and I was struggling put any real weight on it. Sensible decision would have been to go home but the Hard Man had arranged to meet us for the day so I felt we couldn’t let him down. I thought I might manage a relatively short day and see how it went. The obvious choice is Moel Siabod. A cracking mountain in its own right and a relatively short day by Snowdonia standards. We managed to get the last parking spot in the lay by by Pont Cyfyng.

The weather had looked similar to the previous day with just a hint of blue. We hoped that it would clear and indeed by the time we set off and started the walk the blue patches were becoming more expansive and it turned into an absolute stormer of a day

Moel Siabod sits out on its own away from the rest of the main Snowdonia massif. Its quite distinctive from the NE with the ridge end on giving kit a pyramidal aspect. Its a very pleasant steady climb to reach it and uphill at least my knee wasn’t giving me too much discomfort

The route passes through old quarry workings and a very attractive lake

The path levels out at the delectable tarn of Llyn y Foel. It always looks like a perfect spot for a wild camp but there is precious little grass up here. Its just at the wrong height, right in the middle of the heather/bog/rock/tussock combo.

Its still a mighty fine spot fro rest though and in the case of the Hard Man, a snooze

Our route from here was along the edge of the corrie holding Llyn y Foel, the ridge of Daear Ddu. Its not really a ridge in the true sense as the SW side is just an open slope with an easy path. If you stick right next to edge however its a very easy and entertaining scramble with a real sense of exposure, safe in the knowledge that retreat to the path is always easy. With skies clearing by the minute it was a superb ascent to the summit with views opening out to the south all the way and a wonderful aerial view of the lake below.

On arrival at the summit the main Snowdonia ranges are suddenly and dramatically revealed. The Glyders with Tryfan showing its teeth above the moorland foreground

The Snowdon range

The Carneddau where we walked the day before

We had a long stop for lunch, probably too long as it was colder than we thought!

The weather was now glorious. To the north and west was an expansive clear patch of clear blue and the views were magnificent. It was a joy to walk down the long NE ridge

Well it would have been had I not been significant pain from my knee. Going up had been ok but as soon as I started down it came back with a vengeance. Every step was excruciating. In truth I’ve no idea how I made it down. The views and some company kept me going

I reached the bottom of the steep section with some relief. The walk back down the track was considerably less painful but the views made it worthwhile. I was glad when we reached the car though!

A sensational day and the icing on the cake of a grand weekend away. Thanks to the Hard Man for making the effort to join us. First time he’d done the peak so he picked a perfect day

No idea how long it will be before I can tackle a similar mountain day. 😦

Whilst the Funster cats were away the Sherpa mice did play! Left to our own devices while TBF went along to a choral singing event we decided on a weekend of relative luxury (Premier Inn, Conwy) to get some walking in. Forecast was ok if a little bland so we hoped to pick off some longer routes. TJS has now paid a visit to the Snowdon and Glyders range so this time it was the third of the main Snowdonia ranges, the Carneddau. A round of Cwm Eigiau seemed appropriate from our northern base and we were up at the car park just after nine. Just in time as it turns out. A large group had pretty much filled the car park and were making a bit of nuisance about setting off (one bloke who loved his own voice and a woman putting on her boots in the middle of the road being the prime culprits). I paused to see where they were heading and went in the other direction

The weather had looked grey when we set off and rather than clearing like we’d hoped seemed to be getting greyer as we headed into Cwm Eigiau

We were taking in the two bonus Carneddau of Pen Llithrig y Wrach and Pen yr Helgi Du. They are well worth the extra effort with fine views and much quieter than the higher summits in the Carneddau on the Welsh 3’s list

The summit of PLYW was swarthed in cloud and things did not look promising. Rather than one of the UK’s classic rounds it seemed more likely we’d press on until we got bored walking in fog and head down. As we reached the col before the climb to PYHD we came out of the cloud and things looked a little more promising

I fully expected to climb straight back into the cloud but it lifted as we climbed and we were almost out of the cloud on PYHD

We stopped for a short break and things improved dramatically. Blue sky and some watery sunshine appeared and most of the tops cleared from cloud. It was all very impressive and moody

The views across to Craig yr Ysfa were especially fine

We descended the steep and narrow ridge from PYHD and climbed the short scramble over the rock of Craig yr Ysfa without incident and found an excellent grassy perch complete with a rock back-rest for lunch. Combined with some dramatic views that’s a measure of a good day in my book

The climb to Carnedd Llewelyn is longer and further than it looks and by the time we reached the summit I was pretty knackered. There were loads of people on the summit, looked like some kind of organised challenge walk – you can always tell by the large numbers of seriously unhappy looking people with a face that says “this is much harder than you said it would be”

The cloud had lifted off the summits but it was overcast with a few bright patches. It made for some dark and atmospheric views

We were planning on bagging the outlier of Yr Elen but after looking down at the low col and realising we’d have climb back up again we thought better of it and headed off to bag Foel Grach

We paused on the summit for more snacks and considered taking in the smaller Foel Fras but it was getting late, we were both pretty tired and my left knee was causing me some severe discomfort. After a cursory look at the dark and depressing emergency shelter on the summit we headed down. Very slowly in my case

We caught some decent views on the way down and its a very enjoyable walk down over Craig Eigau. The little dragons back of rock is an entertaining scramble but I had no will or energy for it today

I was hobbling badly by the last stretch down the track and TJS reached the car several minutes before me. Still it had been a grand day out. I was just worried about the price I’d have to pay for it as I could barely walk when we finished

12 miles and 3300 feet of ascent is pretty big day for both of us. A classic of North Wales

Im catching up on my outings and we are now into October so at least I’m posting in the same month as activity that created it. A cracking forecast and a plan to meet a few of the gang for a mid-Wales walk in the hills to the north of Llangollen. In the end it was just me TJS, TBF and Uncle Fester from Manchester. A hearty breakfast in the Ponderosa cafe atop the Horseshoe Pass started a stunning day, all clear blue skies and fog filled valleys

A short drive to the rather splendidly named World’s End for a walk along the Limestone edges of Eglwyseg Mountain

A superb clear morning perfect for this easy although long ramble in this secretive corner of Wales. The Horseshoe Pass itself is famous but tucked away to the east, almost unseen is a long limestone escarpment with some cliffs to rival anywhere else in the UK. There are no actual paths or rights of way marked along the edges but its open access land and thin paths are there if you seek them out. The views from the rim of the precipice across green valleys to the dark and contrasting brown and heather clad Llantysilio Mountain are fantastic. We’d only been walking half an hour before we stopped for a brief rest to take it all in on the edge of Craig Arthur

The walk along the edges is easy and superb with wide ranging vistas and a real sense of air. The edges are sheer and dramatic

We weaved around amongst the various terraces and eventually the hilltop Castell Dina Bran came into view. We dropped down a very narrow and steep gully to reach the the terraces of long abandoned quarries (you can see them on the left of the photo below)

This lower terrace was equally superb, an easy stroll on a grassy path with views of the castle always focusing the gaze

On a warm, clear, sunny autumn day it was an absolute delight

Lunch was planned for the castle although its a short steep pull to the top

The views from the castle on its very steep and isolated summit are unsurprisingly superb

It was busy as you’d expect but we found a quiet sheltered spot and spent a very happy hour enjoying the warm sunshine and admiring the views.

I’m a fan of views from up high over towns and cities so I was particularly impressed with the view over Llangollen, as well as westwards towards Llantysilio Mountain and beyond

The ruins are scant but very evocative and I believe its one of the many, many places linked to the legend of King Arthur, he did get about that fella’.

The trees were in autumn berry cloaks and the gorse was still flowering – some real colour contrasts to enjoy

We returned via some linked paths and roads that follow the base of the cliffs. Equally impressive and quite staggeringly deserted

The path follows the indents of the various gullies that scythe the face of the limestone, perched below the cliffs and screes and above the farmland. It was an exceptionally enjoyable stretch of walking as fine as any in the UK and as i said its seems very little known

It finished with a long rising traverse across the slopes to reach the edges near Craig Arthur where we sat for a few minutes to enjoy the last of views before the short walk back to the car

A memorable day, and a long one at 12 miles, finished off in the appropriate style with a slap up meal at the rather excellent Corn Mill in Llangollen. Early start and late home but justly rewarded

A short post based on the few photos I took over this weekend back in September. More in tribute and thanks to Mark and his family for inviting the usual collection of kids young and now getting older and adults already old and trying to be younger, to their home and allowing us to eat their food, untidy their rooms and generally interrupt their busy life. Its a weekend we now always look forward to as a kind of last hurrah before the dark days of winter set in

We did a pretty long on the Saturday. Leighton Moss & Hall and down to Warton (where we met the Yorkshire contingent for a pint and a bowl of chips in a local pub) and then back to Silverdale via Warton Crag. It was an excellent day but as it was a little grey and overcast I took no pictures. It was more a day for catching up and chatting and none the worse for that.

Sunday was day of bright sunny intervals and though there were heavy showers we missed almost all of them on a walk down to Jack Scout and Jenny Brown’s Point. Its one of my favourites and this time took a few snaps to capture the day.

En route we came across a rope swing that the kids had a great time with (and some adults who should know better)

The tide was out and the views across Morecambe Bay, the wet sand reflecting the sun, were very fetching

The kids gathered for a cheery team photo in the very strong and blustery wind, before we went back for yet more food. Eating is a big part of this weekend 🙂

We enjoyed one final walk between late afternoon lunch and early tea – yet more food – up through Eaves Wood to the Pepperpot. The views across the village and the bay from here are superb and I’m always jealous of the fact that this view is no more than a 15-20 minute stroll from Mark’s front door.

A fine way to finish another excellent weekend away – big thanks again to the Silverdale crew!

A repeat walk with TJS of a short hike I did last summer on a very similar day. The edges of of the Craig y Cilau escarpment are very fetching in summer when they catch the sun (the are in permanent shadow in winter). The autumn colours were again superb and the views across the Usk valley to the Sugar Loaf are always especially good from up here

Scrambling to the top of the eroded and now grassed over mine remnants is great fun, gives a certain miniature mountain arete sort of vibe

The old tramway beneath the limestone cliffs gives a wonderful level stroll. Despite its majestic appearance it seems to be completely off the radar and we rarely see more than a handful of people up here

I’m especially fond of this grassy (and boggy) meadow with its views back to the escarpment. Its certainly better than trying to tackle the wooded slopes higher up from my last visit

Time for the contrasting second half of the walk. Up above the edges and on to the expansive grassland behind the escarpment

There is a summit of sorts where we paused for a snack before heading into the wilderness

Being Limestone scenery there are a couple of seriously big sink holes up here

We headed over to the lake of Pwll Gwy Rhoc. Last year the area was a little boggy but bearable. This year it was a lake everywhere. Trail shoes were a bad idea. By the time we reached the lake shore my footwear was at maximum saturation point

I had my swimming stuff with me but TJS had a look that said he didn’t want to hang around in a cold breeze in the middle of an expansive bog waiting for his dad to take a dip. We just pressed on through more bog and sat on the edges for a late lunch so I could wring the brown water out of my socks before heading back to the car

Seriously a very fine stroll indeed when faced with a solo walk. TBF was in London watching the Piano Man himself, TJF was at a friends and TJS too lazy to come out, struggling as the was with his first week of early starts at college.

It was early September (I think!) and the first flush of Autumn colours were out. The forecast was pretty ordinary but it turned out to be a rather splendid day of powerful sunny intervals and dark brooding clouds

My target was Hanter Hill, a small subsidiary top to the north of the main Hergest Ridge massif. Thinking I was being clever, I thought I could traverse around to the col. Anyone who knows my local hills also knows that they are cloaked in the deepest bracken at this time of year. It was tedious wet and slippery and I cursed my way across the slopes for a good half hour on the faintest of paths

Thankfully I survived the jungle and arrived at the col under blue skies and swiftly climbed to the top of Hanter Hill

The views were impressive over the various ranges of heather cloaked hills and green valleys of this little known corner of mid-Wales

I even got an aerial view of the huge Gore quarry that seems to be completely devouring Old Radnor Hill

After a brief rest I headed down and back up over the main summit of Hergest Ridge, joining the many families enjoying some autumnal sunshine

Only a couple of hours but a nice walk if you stay on paths on don’t head off-piste into the wastelands of bracken!

August Bank Holiday and sunshine forecast, who’d have thought! Me and TJS took off for the hills and my classic Black Mountain circuit. I’ve posted this walk many times so I’ll let the pictures do most of the talking

Rather than waste time at home we had breakfast a short walk from the car. Bacon sandwiches in the open air is taste much better than in the kitchen

The larger of the two jewelled lakes of this walk, Llyn y Fan Fawr

The high point at Bannau Sir Gaer

And the second lake of Llyn y Fan Fach

We stopped for a second lunch by the tarn. Despite this being a sunny Bank Holiday these hills are always relatively quiet. Dread to think how many people would have been on Pen y Fan

So whats my Blog about?

I spend alot of my time surfing the web looking for ideas on places to go, walking routes, travel ideas and tips to plan the perfect holiday or day out. (I'm a project manager I like to plan). I thought it was time to share my own experiences and contribute to the vast amounts in information that's already out there.

I'll also add in some gear and tech reviews and when something irks me I may even use this forum to have a rant - I do that pretty well I'm told.There are a few pages at the top that give a bit of background to what I like to get up to and what you can expect to see in my posts. I'm not exactly a creative writer but I hope some people will find my stuff useful or inpsiring or at least enjoy some of my photos.

Enjoy!

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